NFL Draft 2014 grades: How each team fared in the first round

Ready for the season now? It unofficially got underway Thursday night with Round 1 of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall and while the Texans went the predictable route by selecting Jadeveon Clowney to get things started, the draft quickly turned into the Johnny Manziel show with nobody sure when the star attraction would appear. The city of Cleveland was lit aglow when the quarterback's name was finally called. What did his selection do for the Browns' draft grade? Find out what mark they received, along with grades for every other team that selected in the first round:

Arizona CardinalsPick No. 27: Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State

Bucannon is a good pick who will be part of an already solid secondary. It was not the Cardinals' biggest need, that's for sure, so the selection of the Washington State product may have been a surprise at this spot. Still, Bucannon was regarded by many as the third-best safety behind HaHa Clinton-Dix and Calvin Pryor.Grade: B

Atlanta Falcons Pick No. 6: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

With Greg Robinson off the board this was the way to go for the Falcons, who stood pat instead of trading up. Matt Ryan needs to remain upright, after all, and Matthews will make a difference on an offensive line that had as many holes as Ryan had bruises last season.Grade: A

Baltimore RavensPick No. 17: C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama

Mosley has a lot of value and, as such, this was a very good pick at No. 17. He can apply pressure, but also effectively drop back in coverage. Alabama coach Nick Saban could not say enough about the skill and character of his former linebacker, and while he may not have needed any convincing, Ravens GM and former Alabama star Ozzie Newsome likely did not ignore the endorsement.Grade: A

Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins poses for photos after being selected by the Buffalo Bills as the fourth round pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Thursday, May 8, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Buffalo BillsPick No. 4: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

The Bills traded up from No. 9 to get the most talented offensive player in the draft. E.J. Manuel has to be grinning from ear to ear with Watkins on board. Buffalo likely would have had Odell Beckham waiting for them at No. 9, but they obviously very badly wanted the player widely regarded as the best receiver of a deep class. And it was a very good move to make.Grade: A+

Carolina PanthersPick No. 28: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

The Panthers were in major need of a receiver and opted for Benjamin (6-foot-5, 235 pounds) over the still-available and smaller Marqise Lee. Benjamin played only two seasons for the Seminoles, but he put himself on the map big time with a huge 2013. Benjamin is not exactly polished, but he has the height and strength to help Cam Newton and the passing game.Grade: B

Chicago BearsPick No. 14: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

The Bears needed help at corner and they certainly got it in Fuller, who should fit in very well in the Windy City. Arguably the best corner in the draft, Fuller was a four-year starter at Virginia Tech. He missed a few games last season with a groin injury, but he had strong combine and worked his way up the board since being projected as a second-rounder after the season.Grade: A

Cincinnati BengalsPick No. 24: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

Dennard has all the attributes anybody would want in a corner, which is why it was surprising he lasted this long. He is very tough, excels in coverage and when he gets his arms around a receiver, he does not let go. Dennard was the 2013 Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation's best defensive back at Michigan State.Grade: A

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel reacts after being selected by the Cleveland Browns as the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Thursday, May 8, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

The Browns traded down five spots to No. 9 then traded up one to select Gilbert. About two hours later they traded up from No. 26 with Philly to grab the quarterback they were in dire need of. Welcome to Cleveland, Johnny Football. Browns fans have long been in need of something to get excited about and Manziel fills that gaping void. As for Gilbert, most mock drafts had him pegged as the first corner to be selected. He has tremendous athleticism with great upside. He is also an electrifying return specialist, having returned six kicks for touchdowns in his career at Oklahoma State.Grade: A

Dallas CowboysPick No. 16: Zack Martin, G, Notre Dame

Wouldn't you know it, Manziel was available to Jerry Jones at No. 16. The Dallas GM/Prez did not select the Aggie or trade the pick. What a letdown. Not as far as Tony Romo is concerned, though. Martin is a solid pick for Dallas given that he is a versatile lineman who can capably play multiple positions. The Golden Domer started four seasons as a tackle in South Bend, but projects as a guard in the NFL.Grade: B+

Denver BroncosPick No. 31: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

Questionable at times off the field, Roby brings plenty of talent on it. He is physical, quick and keeps up with the speediest receivers. There is a lot up side and he should provide the Broncos with good value this late in the first round.Grade: B+

Detroit LionsPick No. 10: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

Ebron is probably more of a receiver than a tight end, and his suspect blocking ability turned off some scouts. When it comes to catching the football, though, he has no problems. With Calvin Johnson and Ebron, Matthew Stafford has an embarrassment of riches to work with. Still, Detroit has Brandon Pettigrew at tight end, so did the Lions really need to select the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Ebron? Watch for him to line up at various spots.Grade: B-

Alabama free safety Haha Clinton-Dix poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Green Bay Packers as the 21st pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Thursday, May 8, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Green Bay PackersPick No. 21: HaHa Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

Many thought Clinton-Dix, and not Calvin Pryor, would be the first safety selected. GM Ted Thompson was likely very pleased when he knew Clinton-Dix would be available to him at No. 21. He can play right away in a Green Bay secondary that is in need of somebody with his ball skills.Grade: B

Jadeveon Clowney poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his jersey after being selected first by the Houston Texans at the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City on Thursday, May 8th, 2014 in New York, NY. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)

Houston TexansPick No. 1: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

As many expected, Houston kept the top pick and took Clowney. He is the prototype NFL rush end with off-the-charts talent. Maybe the more consistent Khalil Mack would have been a better fit for the Texans, but it is hard to imagine anybody in Houston complaining about this selection as it is not often a pass rusher of this magnitude comes around. Clowney, who will join J.J. Watt on the Houston defensive line, is the Texans' third No. 1 selection in their 14 drafts, joining QB David Carr -- the franchise's first-ever pick -- in 2002 and DE Mario Williams 2006.Grade: A+

Jacksonville JaguarsPick No. 3: Blake Bortles, QB, UCF

The first surprise of the draft did not take long, about 25 minutes. The Jags needed to take a player whom they could sell to their starving fan base ... right now. Khalil Mack and Sammy Watkins were available. Bortles will likely be holding the clipboard and learning for a while as opposed to being the difference-maker Jacksonville badly needs. But GM David Caldwell went with the in-state product who is a prototype NFL quarterback and should ultimately have a nice career. It's just that he does not fit what Jacksonville needs most at this point.Grade: C+

Kansas City ChiefsPick No. 23: Dee Ford, LB, Auburn

Nothing against the player, as Ford is an exceptional pass rusher, but the Chiefs did not have any real need at the position and would have been better served taking a receiver such as Kelvin Benjamin or Marqise Lee.Grade: C

Miami DolphinsPick No. 19: Ja'Wuan James, OT, Tennessee

Miami badly needed a tackle and while they did not get one of the higher-rated players at the position, they were able to address a position of need. James was a four-year starter at right tackle with Tennessee and could provide the Dolphins with flexibility at other positions on the line.Grade: B

Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater poses for photos with his mother, Rose Murphy, upon arriving for the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Thursday, May 8, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

The Vikings had several needs and they did a great job knocking one of them off their checklist with Barr, a gifted athlete who previously played defensive end and running back at UCLA. He is a beast around the edge, can track the ball carrier and will develop into a Pro Bowler for Minnesota. The Vikings later traded with Seattle to save Bridgewater from falling into Friday. He was likely the best option remaining at QB, and may now be the Vikes' best option under center.Grade: A

New England PatriotsPick No. 29: Dominique Easley, DT, Florida

Easley tore his ACL twice at Florida, which makes one wonder what could have been. As it is, Easley was still considered a first-rounder despite the risk and the Patriots did well to get him at No. 29.Grade: B

New Orleans SaintsPick No. 20: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

The Saints selected what many felt was the best receiver on the board at this point. The Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top receiver at Oregon State last season, Cooks does not have the size (5-10, 190) of a couple of the more-heralded receivers in this draft. However, he is not wanting for toughness or speed and he is known as a disciplined route runner.Grade: B+

New York GiantsPick No. 12: Odell Beckham, WR, LSU

Not only did Eli Manning gain an outstanding receiver, one whose stock kept rising as the draft neared, but Beckham is an exceptional return man as well. He is a true game-breaker in two areas and brings no lack of physicality to the Giants' offense.Grade: A+

New York JetsPick No. 18: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville

The first safety off the board fills a major hole in the Jets' secondary. Pryor is fearless, physical and has good speed -- three things that must have Rex Ryan salivating. Jets fans will love him.Grade: A

University of Buffalo's Khalil Mack walks the red carpet before walking into the 2014 NFL draft tonight at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, on Thursday, May 8, 2014. (AP Photo/The Buffalo News, James P. McCoy) >

Oakland RaidersPick No. 5: Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo

The Raiders likely could not believe their good fortune when the Jaguars took Bortles followed by Buffalo selecting Watkins. That allowed Mack to fall right into Oakland's lap. He is an outstanding rush linebacker who can also drop back into coverage. There is nothing not to like.Grade: A+

Philadelphia EaglesPick No. 26: Marcus Smith, LB, Louisville

The Eagles did not get the receiver they needed, though they can still get a good one in the second or third round after adding an extra draft pick by trading down four spots in a swap with Cleveland. That is why the selection of Smith is not so bad. Philly was in need of a pass rushing linebacker and Smith is a good one.Grade: B

Pittsburgh SteelersPick No. 15: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State

Shazier, who was somewhat of a surprise at No. 15, can play both inside or outside linebacker, and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will figure out the rest. Shazier is fast and his motor runs full speed, no question. Still, would Darqueze Dennard have been the better pick for Pittsburgh, which needs help in the secondary?Grade: B

The NFL Network's Mike Mayock remarked following Robinson's selection that the former Auburn star stirs memories of another tackle the Rams once selected: Orlando Pace. Robinson has the talent and the character to make management happy for the next decade or so. How soon he takes over at left tackle is up for debate, but that day may come sooner than later. Donald's stock soared during an eye-opening senior season at Pitt and continued to do so following an impressive combine. He has exceptional explosiveness and plays with an unparalleled level of tenacity.Grade: A

Texas Christian cornerback Jason Verrett reacts with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the San Diego Chargers as the 25th pick of the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Thursday, May 8, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

San Diego ChargersPick No. 25: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

He is only 5-foot-9, but Verrett plays so much bigger and does so in every facet of the game. Some talent evaluators feel that he will turn out to the best among the corners taken in this draft. While that of course remains to be seen, there is no question the Chargers filled a glaring need with a talent that will provide immediate help.Grade: A

San Francisco 49ersPick No. 30: Jimmy Ward, S, Northern Illinois

Coming off foot surgery, Ward was slotted as mid- to late-second round in many mock drafts and the 49ers may have had a shot at him at No. 61 on Friday. But Ward does a lot of things very well, and given the help San Francisco can use in the secondary, it may not have been that much of a reach for them.Grade: C+

Tampa Bay BuccaneersPick No. 7: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

Evans was projected as the second-best receiver behind Watkins, and that is exactly how it played out. With Evans and Vincent Jackson, Josh McCown must feel like he won the lotto. Evans has dream size (6-5, 225) for a receiver and he is very strong, so breaking free of DBs and getting yards after the catch is something with which he excels.Grade: A

Tennessee TitansPick No. 11: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

This pick made perfect sense. The Titans' O-line was in need of an injection of youth and Lewan was the best tackle available. He was widely regarded as the third-best offensive tackle behind Robinson and Matthews, so everything as far as that was concerned went according to script. The Titans had a need and they addressed it.Grade: A